News

Berlin chamber awards still able to be voted on

BERLIN —Members of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce still have time to vote for three awards to be given at its awards and installation ceremony on[].

"We've sent an email asking all members to vote online," said Aaren Collins, executive director of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce.

Links for all three awards — the 2012 New Business Award, 2012 Philanthropy Award and The Reese Cropper III 2012 Bright Idea Award — have been placed the home page of its Website, http://berlinchamber.org.

Sixty businesses that have signed up to be members of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce between September 2011 and 2012 are eligible for the 2012 New Business Award. A vote for a business should be accompanied by an explanation of why the award is deserved.

These businesses include new openings this year such as Sister, Si' Culi and World of Toys, but also businesses that have been in operation for years like WMDT TV 47 and Buxy's Salty Dog Saloon.

The company that earns the most votes will be named the Berlin Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year.

For the other two awards, the voting process is different, since any member of the chamber is eligible for the Philanthropy Award and The Reese Cropper, III 2012 Bright Idea Award.

The philanthropy award is meant to be given to a person who has made significant contributions to the community. The award named after the founder of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and president of Insurance Management Group Inc., Reese Cropper, III goes to a business for person who has come up with a new idea or business strategy that has been proven successful.

For both of these awards, the voter should explain why the award is deserved.

"Our board of directors will then review all entries for these two awards, and determine the winner after weighing everyone's opinion," Collins said.

Any member of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce can vote, but only one entry per business will count.

Voting is still open this week, and the winners will be announced at the Berlin Chamber of Commerce Awards and Instillation Ceremony on [] at []. The members of next year's Board of Directors will also be announced that evening.